Hitching-apparatus

ABSTRACT

There is provided hitching apparatus including a mounting means (10) including a base plate portion (11) supporting integrally formed struts (12) to which is fabricated an upper mounting socket (13). The base plate portion (11) is secured to the goose-neck of a vehicle by means of the threaded stud and nut of a conventional tow ball. The mounting socket (13) is adapted to receive the tongue portion (17) of a guide assembly including a pair of guide plates (21) which in use diverge from their mounting portion (20) to extend rearward and outward of the tow-ball. Reversing the vehicle to the hitch of the trailer with the hitching assembly installed results in either the hitch directly contacting the mounting portion (20) or engagement of the hitching portion with either of the guide plates (21) whereupon the hitching portion is guided to the mounting portion (20).

This invention relates to a hitching apparatus.

This invention has particular but not exclusive application to hitchingapparatus for use with a conventional ball-type hitch and forillustrative purposes reference will be made to such application.However, it is to be understood that this invention could be used inother applications, such as with hitches other than ball-type hitches.

Whilst self-aligning hitches in general are known, such hitchesgenerally require the provision of a specialized hitch arrangement, suchas the self-aligning hitches used on military vehicles and self-aligningcouplings for coupling semi-trailers to prime movers. There have beenattempts to provide self aligning hitching apparatus for conventionalball-type coupling which will permit a vehicle operator to align forengagement apparatus to be towed such as a trailer, boat-trailer or thelike, from the towing vehicle cabin, and to also thereby prevent lowspeed but damaging impacts between the vehicle and the hitching means ofthe vehicle to be trailed.

However, this apparatus breaches the requirement of most road laws thatthe license or registration number plate of the vehicle be visible atall times when driving. In most domestic vehicles the license orregistration number plate is located in the region of the tow ball ofvehicles equipped with such. Additionally, passive guidance hitchingapparatus as proposed, comprising as it does a pair of guidance wingsdisposed about the vehicle hitch means and adapted to guide thecomplementary hitching means of the trailer or the like, by its verynature restricts the relative angle developed between the respectivevehicles to the included angle between the wings, which is minimised toprovide for adequate centering force in the hitching operation.

The present invention aims to substantially alleviate the abovedisadvantages and to provide hitching apparatus which will be reliableand efficient in use. Other objects and advantages of this inventionwill hereinafter become apparent.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, this invention in oneaspect resides broadly in hitching apparatus adapted for engagement withhitching means on a vehicle to be towed and including vehicle hitchmeans and guide means displaceable by hand from an operableconfiguration wherein said hitching means may be guided to a positionadjacent said hitch means and a stowed configuration.

In the context hereinafter, the expression "displaceable by hand" is tobe taken to include hand operable apparatus which may be operated by theuser without tools, but includes also apparatus which although operablewithout tools may also be amenable to operation if desired with tools.

Preferably, the vehicle hitch means supported on the vehicle comprises aball hitch of the type representing the majority of domestic and lightcommercial hitching arrangements. Such apparatus generally comprises amachined or cast hitching ball having a threaded stud and a bearingflange. The threaded stud is adapted to pass through a drilling througha gooseneck rigidly supported on the vehicle until the bearing flangeseats thereto whereupon the ball may be secured thereto by a nut andspring washer. The gooseneck is generally associated with a substantialtow bar frame member bolted securely to the vehicle structure.

The corresponding hitching means generally takes the form of a cast orforged socket arrangement having a spring loaded or threaded lockingmeans within the socket such that when the locking means is disengagedthe ball may pass into the socket. The locking means may then be engagedby means of a knurled handle acting on a threaded rod, or by the returnaction of the spring respectively, the ball being restrained within thesocket but able to pivot relative thereto in the manner of a ball joint.

The guide means may take any form consistent with the function ofproviding a means of guiding the hitching means to a location adjacentthe vehicle hitch means whereby the hitching elements may be mutuallyengaged. Preferably, the guide means comprises passive guide meansselected to be operable in response to the vehicle operator reversingthe vehicle to a position wherein the hitching means of the trailer isat least approximately adjacent the vehicle hitch means, and whereby thehitching means is stopped at or guided to a position adjacent thevehicle hitch means as the case may be. Alternatively, the guide meansmay comprise active guide means which may be operable to acquire andguide the hitching means to the vehicle hitch means while the vehicle ismoving or stationary relative to the trailer or the like.

For example, passive guide means may comprise a guide portion disposedoutward of the vehicle centerline from a stop portion located adjacentto the vehicle hitch means and adapted to stop the guided hitching meanssubstantially over the vehicle hitch means. Preferably, the guideportion diverges from and is formed integrally with the stop portion andextends to a point sufficiently wide of the vehicle centerline to beengaged by the hitch means under reversing of the vehicle by a driver ofreasonable competence having regard for the loss of visibility of thehitch means in the critical last few feet.

Preferably, the guide portion is of its maximum transverse extensionfrom the centerline at its outer end. Preferably, the guide portionextends sufficiently to the rear of the tow-ball to provide for contactwith the hitch means at a separation of the vehicle and the trailer orthe like sufficient to provide a practical scope for alignment.

For example, the guide portion may include a pair of straight, curved orother suitably shaped, relatively rigid arms adapted to be disposedsubstantially symmetric about the vehicle centerline and having a guidesurface extending rearward and outward from the stop portion supportedadjacent the vehicle hitch means. The guide means may for examplecomprise a stop portion having formed thereon a pair of guide portionshaving a planar guide surface adapted to diverge rearward of the stopportion. Preferably, the available aligning force is a compromise resultbalancing the rearward extent of the apparatus to obtain a reasonablespread of the apparatus whilst keeping the size of the apparatus down.In this context, it is preferred that the arms diverge from the stopportion at an angle of approximately 45° and accordingly have anincluded angle one to the other of approximately 90°.

The means providing for the guide means to be displaceable by hand froman operable configuration wherein the hitching means may be guided to aposition adjacent said hitch means and a stowed configuration may takeany suitable form. For example, the apparatus may include a hitchingassembly bearing the vehicle hitch means and the guide means and mountedto a gooseneck extension of the tow bar of the vehicle by mounting meanspermitting removal of the hitching assembly which may then be stowed inthe vehicle.

Alternatively, the mounting means may be selected to retain the hitchingassembly on the gooseneck extension for movement between an operableposition and a position where the license or number plate is notobscured and the hitching assembly does not limit the relative angulardisplacement of the towed and towing vehicles. For example, the hitchingassembly may be pivotally mounted to the gooseneck extension by atransverse pivot arrangement whereby the hitching assembly may beselectively moved between an operable position and a lower stowed ortravelling position, and be provided with hand operable retaining meansadapted to selectively retain the hitching assembly in the respectivepositions. The hand operable retaining means may for example comprisecomplementary portions of the gooseneck extension and the hitchingassembly bearing cooperable drillings therethrough through which may beengaged a pin or the like adapted to be removed and inserted by hand.

However, it is preferred that the apparatus be selected to be able to befitted to existing hitching arrangements for domestic vehicles.Accordingly, in another aspect, this invention resides broadly inhitching apparatus including:

mounting means secured to a vehicle adjacent a vehicle hitch meansthereof, and

guide means supported by said mounting means and displaceable by handfrom an operable configuration wherein said hitching means may be guidedto a position adjacent said hitch means and a stowed configuration.

The mounting means may be formed integrally with or fitted to thegooseneck of the tow-bar. For example, the mounting means may comprisean integral upstanding portion of the goose-neck and may be weldedthereto. Alternatively, the mounting means may comprise a plate-likemember adapted to be secured to the goose-neck by means of retentionbeneath the flange of the tow ball. For example, the mounting means mayinclude a plate-like portion having an aperture therein adapted to indexwith the aperture in the goose-neck whereupon the tow-ball may passthrough both and be secured by a nut or the like.

The plate-like member may include location means to prevent rotation ofthe mounting means in use or during the installation procedure. Examplesof such location means may include a keyway or the like adapted to beengaged by a key provided on the threaded stud, the goose-neck beingprovided with a similar keyway such that the goose-neck, plate-likemember and stud may be positively keyed in the correct orientation.

Alternatively, the plate-like member may be provided with one or moredownward depending flange portions adapted to pass over one or both ofthe lateral edges of the goose-neck and thereby similarly lock theplate-like member against rotation. If desired, other binding means maybe provided, such as provision of a textured surface on the contact faceof the plate-like member With the gooseneck, locating pins or otherprotrusions such as may be provided by weld spots or the like.

Preferably, the mounting means and the guide means are mutuallyconfigured such that the preferred mounting means may be effectivelypermanently mounted to the tow ball and gooseneck assembly, and theguide means be readily displaced therefrom between its operable andstowed positions by hand. The means providing for displaceability of therespective parts may provide for separability of the respective parts orretention of the parts for movement between an operable position and aposition where the license or number plate is not obscured and the guidemeans does not limit the relative angular displacement of the towed andtowing vehicles. For example, the mounting means and the guide means mayinclude interconnecting means including a pivot or the like providingfor the guide assembly to be folded rearward and downward of the vehiclehitch means and further be provided with locking means such as a handoperable locking pin or the like adapted to retain the respective partsin at least the operable position.

In the interests of simplicity and to also provide for the provision ofuniversal mounting means for bicycle racks or the like it is preferredthat the guide means be demountable from the mounting means.

Accordingly, in a further aspect this invention resides broadly inhitching apparatus including:

a mounting means securable to a vehicle adjacent a hitch means thereof;

guide means adapted to engage a hitching means of a trailer for guidanceof the hitching means to a position adjacent said vehicle hitch means,and

releasable connection means whereby said guide means may be selectivelymounted and dismounted from said mounting means by hand.

The releasable connecting means may take any suitable form consistentwith the function of providing for the ready removal of the guide meansfrom the mounting means by hand. For example, the releasable connectingmeans may comprise complementary engagement portions provided on each ofthe mounting means and guide means, or may comprise clamp means adaptedto clamp the guide means to the mounting means.

Preferably, the mounting means is provided with a mounting portionadapted to releasably engage a corresponding engagement portion of theguide means, the mounting and engagement portions being adapted toprovide for interconnection which resists normal operating loads on theapparatus in use but which provides for ready disengagement when movedapart in a direction not encountered by the apparatus in normal use. Bythis means, the releasable connecting means avoid the requirement formoving parts such as clamping means.

For example, the provision of one or more complementary spigot andsocket portions on the mounting means and guide means, selected toresist relative rotation about any axis and adapted to be separable bymoving the guide means linearly, for example vertically, relative to themounting means may provide suitable releasable interconnecting means. Ifdesired, the security of the apparatus in use may be enhanced byprovision of simple locking means such as a finger-pull locating pinadapted to pass transversely through the complementary spigot and socketin assembly. If desired, this drillings for receiving the finger-pulllocating pin may also be adapted to receive a padlock or the like in theevent that the guide means is to be secured in place against theft, orwhere some complementary ancillary equipment is to be so secured to themounting means when the guide means is not in use.

The apparatus in accordance with the present invention provides forimprovement to the methods of hitching a trailer in several ways. Wherethe apparatus is permanently mounted in its operable configuration, thevehicle operator may simply reverse the vehicle to the trailer hitchingmeans until the trailer hitching means is heard or felt to either touchthe stop means or be guided thereto as the case may be depending on theaccuracy of the reversing process. Where the guide means is demountable,the vehicle operator may for example stop the vehicle and install theguide means prior to reversing the vehicle and hence the guide meansinto engagement with the hitching means of the trailer.

In order that this invention may be more readily understood and put intopractical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawingwhich illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of apparatus in accordance withthe present invention, and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of apparatus in accordance with the presentinvention in assembly.

In the figures there is provided a mounting means 10 including a baseplate portion 11 supporting integrally formed struts 12, the upper endsof which are interconnected with and supporting of a mounting socket 13.The base plate portion 11 is provided with an aperture 14 to permitsecuring of the mounting means 10 to the goose-neck 19 of a vehicle bymeans of a tow-ball 18.

The mounting socket 13 is provided with a slotted aperture 15 adapted toreceive a corresponding tongue portion 17 of a guide assembly 16. Theguide assembly 16 further comprises a stop portion 20 having integrallyformed therewith a pair of guide plates 21. The guide plates 21 divergefrom the stop portion 20 such that when the tongue portion 17 is engagedwith the slotted aperture 15, the guide plates 21 extend to pointsrearward and outward of the tow-ball 18.

In use, the user reverses the vehicle 22 to a point close to the trailerhitch assembly 23, exits the vehicle and removes the guide assembly froma storage position, generally the vehicle boot or trunk. The user thenfits the guide assembly 16 be insertion of the tongue portion 17 intothe slotted aperture 15 and reverses towards the trailer hitch assembly22 until the stop portion 20 is perceived to be in contact with thehitch assembly 22 of the trailer. This contact may occur as a result ofthe hitch assembly 22 directly contacting the stop portion 20 or mayarise by engagement of the hitch assembly 22 with either of the guideplates 21 whereupon the hitching portion is guided therealong to thestop portion 20, the displacement of the hitch assembly 22 beingfacilitated by lateral movement of a jockey wheel assembly 24 or foot orthe like supporting the hitch assembly 22 at a requisite hitchingheight.

If desired, the hitch assembly may be set at a height such that thehitch assembly 22 contacts and then rides over the tow-ball 18 toprovide positive location thereon after being reversed or guided towardthe stop portion 20. Apertures 25 may be provided to serve one or moreof many functions such as providing for suspension of the guide assemblyfor painting, retention of the guide means by way of a lanyard or thelike or, when disposed in pairs as illustrated, providing a meanswhereby access to the towball 18 may be barred.

Apparatus in accordance with the abovedescribed embodiment overcomes thestated disadvantages of the prior art and in addition the mounting meansthereof provides a convenient mounting point for ancillary equipmentsuch as a bicycle rack, an additional signal lamp assembly, towball usedisabling means or the like.

It will of course be realised that while the above has been given by wayof illustrative example of this invention, all such and othermodifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to personsskilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambitof this invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.

We claim:
 1. A hitching apparatus comprising a base member configured to be mounted on the underside of a gooseneck of a conventional vehicle ball hitch assembly with the aid of the hitch ball mounting stud, and guide means comprising a pair of divergent guide portions symmetrically disposed about the hitch centerline and adapted to urge a towing hitch impinging thereon towards the hitch ball, and a stop portion truncating said guide portions and cooperating therewith to locate said towing hitch substantially over said hitch ball, said base member having integrally formed therewith a pair of struts, each of said struts interconnected at a respective upper end with a guide means mounting portion located forward of said hitch ball having a slot extending transversely of said centerline and adapted to receive a tongue, said tongue formed by downward extension of the stop portion of said guide means, whereby said guide means is removably mountable on said base member.
 2. The hitching apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said guide portion comprises a pair of substantially rigid arms disposed substantially symmetric about the vehicle centerline, each of said arms defined by a planar guide surface that extends rearwardly away from said stop portion and said vehicle and outwardly away from each other such that said plates form an included angle therebetween and do not extend beyond said ball hitch.
 3. The hitching apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said mounting means includes means for locating, said locating means for preventing rotation of the mounting means on the gooseneck.
 4. The hitching apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said guide portions form an included angle of approximately 90°.
 5. The hitching apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said base portion is adapted to be a substantially permanent installation on the gooseneck.
 6. A hitching apparatus for mounting onto a gooseneck of a conventional vehicle ball hitch assembly that is symmetrically mounted to a rear of a vehicle about a vehicle centerline, said vehicle ball hitch assembly of the type including a hitch ball having a threaded mounting stud that is threadingly received in said gooseneck, and a towing hitch that impinges upon said hitch ball, comprising:a removable mounting means for attaching said apparatus to an underneath side of the gooseneck of the ball hitch assembly, said mounting means comprised of a base plate portion and a mounting socket integrally interconnected together through a pair of spaced struts, said base plate portion including an aperture for receiving said mounting stud to secure said mounting means to said underneath side of said gooseneck, each of said struts having an upper end connected to said mounting socket and a lower end connected to said base portion, said mounting socket located between said hitch ball and said vehicle when said mounting means is secured to said vehicle, said mounting socket including a transversely extending slot respective of said vehicle centerline, for removably receiving said stop portion tongue therein, said struts receiving said gooseneck therebetween when said mounting means is attached to said ball hitch assembly, said struts preventing said mounting means from rotational movement about said ball hitch assembly centerline; a removable means for guiding comprised of a pair of divergent guide portions symmetrically disposed about the hitch centerline and adapted to urge the towing hitch towards the hitch ball, said guiding means further including a stop portion attached to and truncating said guide portions, said stop portion cooperating with said guide portions to locate said towing hitch substantially over said hitch ball, said stop portion including a downwardly depending tongue. 